West African societies were one of the most advanced and culturally diverse societies in the 16th century.
Although West African societies were geographically isolated from other European and Asian societies, they were very interactive in terms of trade.
Sahara highway was a good example of a major trading network in West Africa. Due to this network, cities such as Timbutktu, Gao, and Jenne became a very busy cities.
They had a deepest trading relationship with Islam. But later, they started trading with Europe after the Portuguese merchants came.
Later, Portuguese claimed two islands with sugar plantation which leads to a birth of a colony.
Three African Kingdoms-
Songhai- 600-1600 A.D. They became rich through trading. They were the center of art, education, and trade. Their army was undefeated.
Benin- Forest kingdom that dominated the area near the Niger Delta. Art and culture was very well developed.
Kongo- Located at the lower Zaire River. Collections of provinces centralized by one king.
Family/government- Bonds of kinship, lineage. These customs helped people to form a complex family alliance.
Religion – The authority was held by the rulers of the region. Nzambi Ampungn, the creator of all things was the central and the most important figures of the West African religion.
Use of Slavery – Slavery system was different in West African societies. Slaves didn’t have to suffer from a life-long service of work and labor. As the slavery became popular in West African societies, Portuguese started to import them from Africa.
Constraints afforded by location
- not able to grow crops (desert)
- lack access to fresh water (desert)
- risk of dangerous diseases through insects and water
Opportunities afforded by location
- access to the ocean
- water transportation
- easy access to foreign countries
- protection from extreme weather
- forest resources
- timber, fruits and plants
- able to grow fruits & crop all year round (except desert)
Notes by Sanghyun Eun Similarities and differences to Native American societies around 1492
Similarities
-Both West African people and North American people valued extended families.
-Both West African and American traveled in-land
-They both lived through farming, hunting, and fishing.
Difference
-West Africans were Islams while Americans had their own religion.
- The countries had different environments. While West African people inhabited in only the savannas and rain forests, the Americans lived in a more diverse sets of environments, such as deserts, rain forests, hardwood forests.
- The Americans traded less with the Europeans than the West Africans did.
- West African societies had slaves, while the American societies didn't.
Similarities and differences to European societies around 1492
Similarities
-Both Islam and Christianity values a supreme god.
-Both valued trade
-Both valued social hierarchy
Differences
-European people lived in nuclear families while West African people lived in extended families.
-There was use of slave labor in West africa.
-West Africa believed in Islam, while the European believed in Christianity.
-Europeans traveled not on by land, but also by sea.
Joe Han Natural Evironments
West Africa is filled with different variety of environments. The northeastern part is the Sahara desert, filled with sand where you can easily get lost without knowing the ancient route. On the southwestern side lies a rainforest. It spreads from southern Songhai to past Kongo. This forest helped the kingdom of Benin from their enemies because it was such a thick and dense forest making it impenetrable from other nation attacks. On the western boarder of West Africa lies the Atlantic Ocean. Right below Benin there are two islands called Principe and Sao Tome. These islands were conquered by the Portuguese and were used as a sugar cane plantation. The Portuguese bought slaves from West African mainland. Lastly the Savanna is the region of dry grassland. The Songhai kingdom is located on this kind of region. Five of these natural environments surround West Africa.
Built Environment
The built environments in West Africa are mostly made up of villages, kingdom and trade routes. It is near the coastline that contains lots of built environments because water is a crucial element to the humans. The water is especially beneficial to the farmers because it helps the crops grow. It is common sense that wherever there is food increase there also will be population increase. 3. How did the environment in West Africa affect native culture?
Even though West Africa had an intense weathers, West Africa became the center of the world’s trade due to its geographical luck. Since they were near the sea, the West Europeans came through the Atlantic Ocean, East Europeans, Arabic, and Asians came through the north. Because they were near the center of the world’s trade, they were able to develop culturally diverse and economically advanced societies. 1. Why did the “First Americans” (Native Americans) come to America? Because there are bigger games, there was a land route called Berengia and that is how people crossed over without any ships. Unit 1 Section 2 - North American Societies around 1492 1. How did the environment of North America affect native culture? The environment of North America affected its native culture and lifestyles. Trees and bushes surrounded the Native American’s homes and tribes. The men took this to their advantage by hiding in bushes then ambushing their game. The women gathered berries from berry bushes. This skill is now called hunting and gathering. Also because nature surrounded them the Native Americans worshiped “Mother Nature” as their god. Unit 1 Section 4 - European Societies around 1492 1. What were the influences that encouraged Europeans to seek new lands and new opportunities in new environments?
The Renaissance influenced the Europeans to seek new lands and opportunities in new environments. When the Renaissance hit around the 14th to 17th century, new inventions and theories expanded people’s minds and their thinking. Through these inventions people started to think outside the box, suggesting ideas such as how the Earth is round and the moon isn’t perfect. Because of these ideas and inventions the Europeans started to explore the outside world. They sought new lands and opportunities in new environments. 5. What were the influences that encouraged Europeans to seek new lands and new opportunities in new environments?
There were several reasons why the Europeans decided to seek for new lands. First, some were pressured by the religions of the majority, some were looking to make profits by gathering resources for the new world, and lastly, some people just wanted a happy and successful life. 9.Identify and list, 1 local issue, 1 regional issue, and 1 global issue that affected each continent in the transatlantic encounter between Africa, America, and Europe. 1. A global issue of trading slaves had a great impact for the whole world. From the land Christopher Columbus discovered in America, the European needed to find labor forces since many of the Native Americans have died through the disease. So the Europeans made great wealth from the work of African slaves, the American lands were used for the Europeans wealth, and the Africans lost most of the fittest people and their population reduced dramatically. 2. A local issue is when the European settlers came to America. Unlike the Europeans who were immune to many diseases such as small pox, measles, and chicken pox, the Native American adapted no immunity to the diseases; so many individuals became sick and died. 3. A regional issue was that many trades between American Europe impacted many people in Europe through new goods, and wealth. They imported many new goods such as cacao beans, and potatos.
10. Explain how the transatlantic encounter between the peoples of Africa, America, and Europe was influenced by the place and environment of each. The Europeans had many trees enabling them to build ships and tools, exposing them to the outside world and new lifestyles. When the Europeans arrived in America they saw that there were enormous amount of land and resources, unlike Europe. The problem was that there was a lot of land to farm and develop on but not enough people to work on them. The Europeans then had an idea of enslaving Africans. The Portuguese have started to slave Africans observing from the African society itself. The Europeans in America started to import slaves to work on their lands. The Europeans’ environment allowed them to sail abroad and be exposed to the new world. America had an abundance of land to farm on. Africa had strong men to work as slaves because everything that they did was physical labor. As you can see these three areas’ environment had influenced the transatlantic encounter.
6. What was the relationship of Africans to their natural and human environment in 1492?
Since West Africa was the center of trade, they developed big cities and allowed more people to do things different. Once aspect of their trade routes come from their goldfields. Moreover, other african kingdoms such as Ibo, Edo, Ifi, Oyo and Yoruba benefitted the strong protection from thick rain forests. Most of West Africans relied on agriculture and depending on their environment, their ways of growing crop differs. For instance, people on dry savanna depended on rivers, and farmer on western coast tangled mangrove swamps into rice fields.
7. What was the relationship of the North Americans to their natural and built environments in 1492?
North American native groups were, in fact, as diverse as their environment. Depending on native group’s environments, the Kashaya Pomo hunted with slingshots and Yurok searched the forests for acorns. Other groups in Northweset coast such as the kwakiuti, hunted the ocean for whales and seals. Moreover, many natives built their own settlements mear seas and waterways including the Pueblos in Rio Grande. In the Southwest side of the America, the Iroquois heavily depended on hardwood forests as resources. Nevertheless, they relied on wild animals for clothing and food in the harsh winters.
8. What was the relationship of the Europeans to their natural and built environments in 1492?
Europeans, with their strict social order, lived in small villages just like any other people. Their geological position allowed them to travel and gain resources they lacked. Nevertheless, Europeans depended a lot in agriculture in which they had fertile land. Through their social order, there had a big gap between rich and poor. However, in general, they consisted of farming, plantations and urban cities.
West African societies were one of the most advanced and culturally diverse societies in the 16th century.
Although West African societies were geographically isolated from other European and Asian societies, they were very interactive in terms of trade.
Sahara highway was a good example of a major trading network in West Africa. Due to this network, cities such as Timbutktu, Gao, and Jenne became a very busy cities.
They had a deepest trading relationship with Islam. But later, they started trading with Europe after the Portuguese merchants came.
Later, Portuguese claimed two islands with sugar plantation which leads to a birth of a colony.
Three African Kingdoms-
Songhai- 600-1600 A.D. They became rich through trading. They were the center of art, education, and trade. Their army was undefeated.
Benin- Forest kingdom that dominated the area near the Niger Delta. Art and culture was very well developed.
Kongo- Located at the lower Zaire River. Collections of provinces centralized by one king.
Family/government- Bonds of kinship, lineage. These customs helped people to form a complex family alliance.
Religion – The authority was held by the rulers of the region. Nzambi Ampungn, the creator of all things was the central and the most important figures of the West African religion.
Use of Slavery – Slavery system was different in West African societies. Slaves didn’t have to suffer from a life-long service of work and labor. As the slavery became popular in West African societies, Portuguese started to import them from Africa.
Constraints afforded by location
- not able to grow crops (desert)
- lack access to fresh water (desert)
- risk of dangerous diseases through insects and water
Opportunities afforded by location
- access to the ocean
- water transportation
- easy access to foreign countries
- protection from extreme weather
- forest resources
- timber, fruits and plants
- able to grow fruits & crop all year round (except desert)
Notes by Sanghyun Eun
Similarities and differences to Native American societies around 1492
Similarities
-Both West African people and North American people valued extended families.
-Both West African and American traveled in-land
-They both lived through farming, hunting, and fishing.
Difference
-West Africans were Islams while Americans had their own religion.
- The countries had different environments. While West African people inhabited in only the savannas and rain forests, the Americans lived in a more diverse sets of environments, such as deserts, rain forests, hardwood forests.
- The Americans traded less with the Europeans than the West Africans did.
- West African societies had slaves, while the American societies didn't.
Similarities and differences to European societies around 1492
Similarities
-Both Islam and Christianity values a supreme god.
-Both valued trade
-Both valued social hierarchy
Differences
-European people lived in nuclear families while West African people lived in extended families.
-There was use of slave labor in West africa.
-West Africa believed in Islam, while the European believed in Christianity.
-Europeans traveled not on by land, but also by sea.
Joe Han
Natural Evironments
West Africa is filled with different variety of environments. The northeastern part is the Sahara desert, filled with sand where you can easily get lost without knowing the ancient route. On the southwestern side lies a rainforest. It spreads from southern Songhai to past Kongo. This forest helped the kingdom of Benin from their enemies because it was such a thick and dense forest making it impenetrable from other nation attacks. On the western boarder of West Africa lies the Atlantic Ocean. Right below Benin there are two islands called Principe and Sao Tome. These islands were conquered by the Portuguese and were used as a sugar cane plantation. The Portuguese bought slaves from West African mainland. Lastly the Savanna is the region of dry grassland. The Songhai kingdom is located on this kind of region. Five of these natural environments surround West Africa.
Built Environment
The built environments in West Africa are mostly made up of villages, kingdom and trade routes. It is near the coastline that contains lots of built environments because water is a crucial element to the humans. The water is especially beneficial to the farmers because it helps the crops grow. It is common sense that wherever there is food increase there also will be population increase.
3. How did the environment in West Africa affect native culture?
Even though West Africa had an intense weathers, West Africa became the center of the world’s trade due to its geographical luck. Since they were near the sea, the West Europeans came through the Atlantic Ocean, East Europeans, Arabic, and Asians came through the north. Because they were near the center of the world’s trade, they were able to develop culturally diverse and economically advanced societies.
1. Why did the “First Americans” (Native Americans) come to America?
Because there are bigger games, there was a land route called Berengia and that is how people crossed over without any ships.
Unit 1 Section 2 - North American Societies around 1492
1. How did the environment of North America affect native culture?
The environment of North America affected its native culture and lifestyles. Trees and bushes surrounded the Native American’s homes and tribes. The men took this to their advantage by hiding in bushes then ambushing their game. The women gathered berries from berry bushes. This skill is now called hunting and gathering. Also because nature surrounded them the Native Americans worshiped “Mother Nature” as their god.
Unit 1 Section 4 - European Societies around 1492
1. What were the influences that encouraged Europeans to seek new lands and new opportunities in new environments?
The Renaissance influenced the Europeans to seek new lands and opportunities in new environments. When the Renaissance hit around the 14th to 17th century, new inventions and theories expanded people’s minds and their thinking. Through these inventions people started to think outside the box, suggesting ideas such as how the Earth is round and the moon isn’t perfect. Because of these ideas and inventions the Europeans started to explore the outside world. They sought new lands and opportunities in new environments.
5. What were the influences that encouraged Europeans to seek new lands and new opportunities in new environments?
There were several reasons why the Europeans decided to seek for new lands. First, some were pressured by the religions of the majority, some were looking to make profits by gathering resources for the new world, and lastly, some people just wanted a happy and successful life.
9.Identify and list, 1 local issue, 1 regional issue, and 1 global issue that affected each continent in the transatlantic encounter between Africa, America, and Europe.
1. A global issue of trading slaves had a great impact for the whole world. From the land Christopher Columbus discovered in America, the European needed to find labor forces since many of the Native Americans have died through the disease. So the Europeans made great wealth from the work of African slaves, the American lands were used for the Europeans wealth, and the Africans lost most of the fittest people and their population reduced dramatically.
2. A local issue is when the European settlers came to America. Unlike the Europeans who were immune to many diseases such as small pox, measles, and chicken pox, the Native American adapted no immunity to the diseases; so many individuals became sick and died.
3. A regional issue was that many trades between American Europe impacted many people in Europe through new goods, and wealth. They imported many new goods such as cacao beans, and potatos.
10. Explain how the transatlantic encounter between the peoples of Africa, America, and Europe was influenced by the place and environment of each.
The Europeans had many trees enabling them to build ships and tools, exposing them to the outside world and new lifestyles. When the Europeans arrived in America they saw that there were enormous amount of land and resources, unlike Europe. The problem was that there was a lot of land to farm and develop on but not enough people to work on them. The Europeans then had an idea of enslaving Africans. The Portuguese have started to slave Africans observing from the African society itself. The Europeans in America started to import slaves to work on their lands. The Europeans’ environment allowed them to sail abroad and be exposed to the new world. America had an abundance of land to farm on. Africa had strong men to work as slaves because everything that they did was physical labor. As you can see these three areas’ environment had influenced the transatlantic encounter.
6. What was the relationship of Africans to their natural and human environment in 1492?
Since West Africa was the center of trade, they developed big cities and allowed more people to do things different. Once aspect of their trade routes come from their goldfields. Moreover, other african kingdoms such as Ibo, Edo, Ifi, Oyo and Yoruba benefitted the strong protection from thick rain forests. Most of West Africans relied on agriculture and depending on their environment, their ways of growing crop differs. For instance, people on dry savanna depended on rivers, and farmer on western coast tangled mangrove swamps into rice fields.
7. What was the relationship of the North Americans to their natural and built environments in 1492?
North American native groups were, in fact, as diverse as their environment. Depending on native group’s environments, the Kashaya Pomo hunted with slingshots and Yurok searched the forests for acorns. Other groups in Northweset coast such as the kwakiuti, hunted the ocean for whales and seals. Moreover, many natives built their own settlements mear seas and waterways including the Pueblos in Rio Grande. In the Southwest side of the America, the Iroquois heavily depended on hardwood forests as resources. Nevertheless, they relied on wild animals for clothing and food in the harsh winters.
8. What was the relationship of the Europeans to their natural and built environments in 1492?
Europeans, with their strict social order, lived in small villages just like any other people. Their geological position allowed them to travel and gain resources they lacked. Nevertheless, Europeans depended a lot in agriculture in which they had fertile land. Through their social order, there had a big gap between rich and poor. However, in general, they consisted of farming, plantations and urban cities.